Rolling ball game apparatus



Dec. 19, 1950 w, BOIKQ ROLLING BALL GAME APPARATUS Filled Feb. 18, 194s 2 Sheets-Sheet, 1

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Dec. 19,1950 w. BolKo 2,534,404

y ROLLING BALL GAME APPARATUS Filed Feb. 18, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l umu INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 19, 1950 UNITEDQSTATES PATENT OFFICEv Y 2,534,404 l ROLLING BALL dans APPARATUS William Boiro, wasiiington, D. o.

Application February 1s, 194s, serial No. 9,198

This invention relates to games and game tables, the primary object of the invention being to provide a game wherein the scoring will be governed by chance and not skillof the player.:

An important object of the invention is to provide a game including a table wherein a number of players may participate, and one which will be exceptionally fascinating to play.

Still another object of the invention is to 'provide a game table including anurnber of game members supported at one end of the table, the game members having prongs to extend into-game pieces which are in the form of balls, the game pieces having openings to receive the prongs, thereby to control the scoring of the game.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts, hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 isa plan view of a game and game table constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof.

Figure 3 is an end elevational view illustrating the table in its folded position.

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a sectional View through one of the game pieces.

Figure 7 is a sectional View through another form of game piece.

Figure 8 is a sectional view through a still further form of game piece.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the reference character 5 indicates the game table which embodies hingedly connected sections 6 and 1, the

hinges being disposed intermediate the ends of the table so that when the sections 6 and 'I are swung towards each other, they will rest one upon the other, with the hinged legs 8 folded there between, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2 of the drawings.

The game table is provided with an upstanding marginal flange 9 that guards against the game pieces I I passing from the table top, when the game is being played.

At each end of the table, is a compartment I0 2 {IllaimsrA (Cl. 273-1118) 2 l i'ri which the game pieces II, which are in the form of `'ballsiare normally held, the compartments having hinged closures I2 so that the game pieces will beheld therein when the table is folded.

v Thesegame pieces II are arranged in groups o f three, colored in any desired manner, group I constituting game pieces wherein openings such as shown at- I3 are arranged, while in the second group there are pairs of openings I4 while in the third group of game pieces or balls, are arranged openings I5 disposed in such relation with respect to eachother that they will accommodate the'rod having the three prong end portions I 6, when the game piece contacts the prongs in such a way that the prongs align with openings. Thus, it will be seen that due to this construction, I have provided three distinct groups of game pieces or balls which are adapted to be thrown or rolled over the game table in the direction of a particular prong or prongs, in an eiort to cause the prong or prongs to extend into openings of the game pieces or balls scoring a point or a number of points, as decided on in the rules of the game.

The rods I1 are arranged in parallel spaced relation with respect to each other, and pass through an opening in one end wall of the game table. The inner ends of these rods are provided with prongs that are constructed to lit into openings of the game pieces, when the game pieces move into engagement with the prongs and are in such position when they contact prongs, that the prongs will enter readily.

As shown by Figure 5 of the drawings, I have provided circular enlargements or supports I8 on the rods I1, which circular enlargements are gripped by means of the curved portions I9 of the plates 20 that in turn are secured adjacent to openings in the end flange of the game board.

Thus it will be seen that due to this construction, the rods are not only held securely in place, but it is possible to adjust these rods in various positions should it be desired to move the rod so that the various prongs may be adjusted to various angles should such an adjustment be desirable by a player.

As shown by the drawings, I have used three of these rods II, each rod carrying a single prong. a pair of prongs or a group of three prongs to correspond with the number and groups of openings formed in the game pieces or balls. However, it will be understood that it is Within the scope of the invention to enlarge the table and use any number of rods and prongs desired.

In playing the game, a player stands at each end of the table. One player will select three balls or game pieces, for example, the group of balls having openings arranged in pairs. The player will now roll the balls one at a time, towards the rod I1 which has the group of two prongs on the inner end thereof. If the player is successful in causing the ball or game piece to be speared or caught by the prongs, he will register points of the game, to be decided by the rules governing the playing of the game.

It is obvious that the number of points gained when yplaying a ball or game piecev to have it caught by the three pronged rod would be greater than if the game piece or ball were caught by the rod having the pair of prongs, or the single prong, since to cause the three prongs to register with three openings of the ball would be a much more diflicult play, forv which the player should be adequately compensated by an increased number of points gained.

After one player hasy rolled three balls in a manner-as described, the opponent or player at theopposite end of the table will now select a group of three balls, and rol-1 the balls towardsv the prong designed for that 'particular group, at the opposite end of the table.

Scoring will beidentical with that described and controlled by the number of balls which may have been caught on the prongs.

What is claimed is;

l. A game comprising, a game table, having side and end upstanding marginal` lianges,y saidend flanges having openings formed therein, a

plurality of rods mounted in the openings for universal pivotal movement, a group of prongs extending from one end of each rod overlying the game table providing catching units, and game pieces in the form of balls having openings formed in the peripheries thereof in which the prongs of said catching units` extend, holding a ball on the prongs when a game Ipiece is directed over the table into contact With a catching unit.

2; A game comprising a game table, having side and end upstanding marginal anges, said end flanges having horizontal lines of openings formed therein, rods pivotally mounted within the openings, groups of forwardly extended prongs on the ends of said rods overlying the game table, the prongs of the respective groups varying in numben game pieces embodying balls having groups of openings into which said prongs extend When the balls are moved into contact with predetermined groups of prongs.

WILLIAM BOIKO.

REFERENCES CITED The following referencesv are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,862,904 Pearson .Tune 14, 1932 1,931,340 Augustine Oct. 17, 1933 2,062,204' Blackmore Nov. 24, 1936l 2,211,330 Hochberg Aug. 13, 1940 

